Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam: 2026 Visitor Guide to Traditions, Etiquette, and Festivities

Tet Nguyen Dan, observed from February 17 to 20 in 2026, is Vietnam’s most significant annual celebration, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. The festival’s origins stretch back over a millennium, blending indigenous Vietnamese customs with Confucian and Buddhist philosophies introduced from China. Tet is not only a time for welcoming a new year but also for honoring ancestors, reflecting the deep-rooted tradition of filial piety in Vietnamese society.

For Vietnamese families, Tet centers on reunion and renewal. In the days leading up to the holiday, households undertake thorough cleaning and decorate their homes with peach blossoms in the north or yellow apricot flowers in the south, symbolizing prosperity and luck. On the eve of Tet, families gather for a special meal and pay respects at ancestral altars, offering incense and traditional foods like banh chung (sticky rice cake) to invite the spirits of their forebears to join in the festivities. These rituals underscore the importance of lineage and gratitude, reinforcing bonds across generations.

Tet’s cultural significance extends beyond the family. UNESCO recognizes the festival as an intangible cultural heritage event, acknowledging its role in preserving Vietnamese identity and community spirit. While the public celebrations—lion dances, Tet markets, and fireworks—are lively and accessible, the heart of Tet remains in private homes, where rituals of remembrance and renewal are observed with care. For visitors, understanding this context provides a deeper appreciation for both the joyous public festivities and the quieter, meaningful traditions that define the holiday.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter transforms into a hub of Tet celebrations from February 17–20, 2026, with Hang Ma and Dong Xuan streets lined with stalls selling red calligraphy scrolls, paper decorations, and traditional sweets. Lion dance troupes parade through the narrow lanes, accompanied by drum performances and crowds of families making offerings at street-side altars. Free public events—folk music, water puppet shows, and craft demonstrations—are staged in communal courtyards and around Hoan Kiem Lake, drawing both locals and visitors. The area is pedestrianized in the evenings, but expect dense crowds, especially on New Year’s Eve and the first day of Tet.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Hue Flower Street is the centerpiece of public festivities. For 2026, the street will be closed to traffic and covered in themed floral displays, intricate topiary, and illuminated arches, typically open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free, and the street hosts ao dai fashion shows, folk games, and musical performances each evening. Side streets feature Tet markets selling apricot blossoms, candied fruits, and handicrafts. The area is busiest in the evenings, when families come out for photos and to watch fireworks over the Saigon River.

Both cities keep key heritage sites open during Tet. Hanoi’s Temple of Literature offers special exhibits on New Year customs and calligraphy, with entry fees of 70,000 VND (about $2.80 USD). In Ho Chi Minh City, the Museum of History near the zoo features Tet-themed displays and children’s activities; entry costs 40,000 VND ($1.60 USD). Hours may be reduced, so check official websites before visiting. These venues provide a quieter alternative to the street festivities and a chance to learn about Tet’s deeper meanings.

Visitors attending Tet celebrations in 2026 should plan their wardrobe and behavior with care, especially when entering pagodas or ancestral altars. Modest clothing is expected: long trousers or skirts and tops with sleeves are the norm. Shorts, sleeveless shirts, and revealing outfits are considered disrespectful in these sacred spaces. On festival days, donning a traditional ao dai—Vietnam’s long, flowing dress for both men and women—is warmly welcomed and often admired by locals. Ao dai rentals are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, typically costing 150,000–300,000 VND ($6–$12 USD) per day.

Footwear etiquette is also important. Always remove your shoes before stepping into someone’s home or a pagoda. Most pagodas and some private homes provide shelves or mats near the entrance for this purpose. Ignoring this custom is seen as a significant breach of etiquette.

Gift-giving is common during Tet, but certain items are taboo. Avoid presenting anything sharp (such as knives or scissors) or gifts wrapped in black paper, as these are associated with bad luck. Instead, opt for red or gold packaging, which symbolize prosperity. When greeting hosts, a polite bow or a gentle nod accompanied by wishes for a happy new year ("Chúc Mừng Năm Mới") is appreciated. These small gestures of cultural respect are noticed and valued during Vietnam’s most meaningful holiday.

Flights and trains across Vietnam fill up quickly during Tet Nguyen Dan, which falls from February 17–20, 2026. Domestic and international tickets can sell out weeks in advance, especially on routes to and from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Travelers should secure all transport bookings by early January to avoid inflated prices and limited options. Bus schedules may also be reduced, and ride-hailing services like Grab often experience longer wait times and surge pricing throughout the holiday period.

Dining options shift noticeably during Tet, as many local restaurants close for family celebrations. In both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, expect a quieter dining scene from Lunar New Year’s Eve through at least the third day of Tet. However, street food vendors—especially in busy areas like Hanoi’s Old Quarter or District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City—continue to serve Tet specialties such as banh chung (sticky rice cake) and pickled vegetables. Major hotels typically offer special Tet menus, but reservations are recommended.

Heritage sites, including Hanoi’s Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, generally remain open with Tet-themed exhibits. Entry fees average 40,000–70,000 VND (about $1.60–$2.80 USD), but opening hours can change on short notice. Always check official websites or call ahead before planning a visit. With careful planning, visitors can navigate Tet’s unique rhythms and enjoy the festival’s cultural highlights without logistical surprises.

Banh chung, a square sticky rice cake wrapped in green dong leaves and filled with mung beans and pork, is a signature dish of Tet and widely available in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s Tet markets during the festival period. In 2026, expect to pay 60,000–100,000 VND ($2.40–$4.00 USD) for a medium-sized banh chung at popular stalls like those on Hang Ma Street in Hanoi or Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. Alongside banh chung, Tet markets brim with colorful jars of dua hanh (pickled onions) and dua mon (pickled vegetables), which are typically sold in small portions for 20,000–40,000 VND ($0.80–$1.60 USD). These tangy accompaniments balance the richness of holiday meats and are a staple on family tables throughout the New Year.

While public markets and street food stalls offer a taste of Tet’s culinary traditions, some customs remain private. Rituals such as ancestor offerings—where families present food, incense, and symbolic items at home altars—and ‘xông đất’ (first-footing), the belief that the first visitor of the year brings luck, are usually reserved for relatives and close friends. Tourists are generally not invited to participate in these intimate moments, though some homestays or cultural tours may offer limited, respectful introductions to these practices if arranged in advance.

Public celebrations, however, provide ample opportunity to observe authentic Tet traditions. In Hanoi, the Old Quarter hosts open-air feasts and cooking demonstrations, while Ho Chi Minh City’s Nguyen Hue Flower Street features food stalls serving regional Tet specialties. These events are free to attend and allow visitors to sample holiday dishes, watch families exchanging red envelopes, and witness performances that reflect the festival’s deep-rooted customs.